Ukraine's Zelenskyy Signs Law that Legalises Medical Use of Cannabis

Kyiv – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a historic law that legalises use of medical cannabis in war-stricken nation. According to Ukrainian news outlet Kyiv Independent, legislation which was passed on Thursday, aimed to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and provide pain relief to people who are suffering from serious illnesses like cancer. law came to president's table after it was passed by Ukrainian parliament on December 21, 2023. With intention of using it for medicinal purposes, legislation  licenses economic activity of cultivating hemp for medical, industrial, and scientific purposes "to create conditions for expanding patients' access to necessary treatment of oncological diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders."

Shortly after law was passed, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak took to Telegram to inform that law would come into effect in July 2024. In post, Zhelezniak me it clear that once legislation comes into force, distribution of cannabis for recreational purposes would still be prohibited and only people with a doctor's prescription would be able to buy cannabis legally. " distribution of marijuana for recreational use will continue to be a crime and will be investigated by police in accordance with law," Zhelezniak wrote on Telegram on Thursday. “Medicines based on medical cannabis can be obtained only by electronic prescription. This prescription will be prescribed by doctor to patient according to his condition, as is currently case with morphine,” he ded. 

Zelenskyy has been an vocate of legislation 

Ukrainian president has voiced support for legalization of medical cannabis in his dress to parliament in June last year. Commemorating country's Constitution Day,  Ukrainian leer touched upon legal reforms in matter and stated that it is “need of hour”. topic of legalisation of medicinal marijuana has been long debated in county. While many argued in favour of benefits it can bring when it comes to treating certain illnesses, ors feared legalizing medical marijuana would eventually le to an influx of drugs in Ukrainian cities. debate gained momentum ever since commencement of ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. war led to many people in country suffering from stress and anxiety. However, it also led to many fears that Russia could use it as some sort of tool for ir own benefit.